Tag Archives: bearss award

Chambersburg Civil War Seminars & Tours is now accepting applications for the 2017 Edwin C. Bearss Award. This award is given annually to support the study of the American Civil War era by reimbursing the awardee with up to $1,000 for scholarly research.

Named in honor of Edwin “Ed” C. Bearss, the Chief Historian Emeritus of the National Park Service, the award will be given to a deserving author working on a non-fiction book about the Civil War. The publication should be focused on Pennsylvania, Maryland, West Virginia or the Shenandoah Valley. Once chosen, the awardee will receive up to $1,000 to cover expenses related to researching their book.

“Ed Bearss has played an essential role in the study of the Civil War throughout his career and regularly educates others about it across the country,” Ted Alexander, facilitator and co-founder of Chambersburg Civil War Seminars & Tours, said. “His long term commitment to the field is astounding, and this is one way for us to show our appreciation for his diligence working with our organization and educating the public at large.”

This award is supported by both Chambersburg Civil War Seminars & Tours as well as its program attendees throughout the year. Funds are raised through donations, raffles and auction proceeds.

Applications are being accepted now through April 1, 2017. Submissions will be reviewed by the Edwin C. Bearss Award Committee. The awardee will be announced at the “On to Richmond” Civil War tour scheduled for July 26-30, 2017 in Richmond, Va.

Interested individuals should contact Lark Plessinger at lplessinger@chambersburg.org or call 717-264-7101 ext. 206 for more information or to receive an application. The awardee will be notified by May 1, 2017.

Chambersburg Civil War Seminars & Tours is a division of the Greater Chambersburg Chamber of Commerce and held in partnership with historian Ted Alexander. Tours planned for 2017 will be held in Pennsylvania, Tennessee and Virginia during April, May, July and September. These programs will be led by expert historians including Edwin C. Bearss, Dr. Richard Sommers, Wayne Motts, Christopher Kolakowski, Tim Smith, Tom Parson and others.